French President Emmanuel Macron has firmly rejected media reports that American intelligence agencies warned France of a potential Russian drone attack launched from merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. Speaking during a joint television appearance on TF1 and France 2, Macron addressed the speculation directly to counter claims originating from foreign press reports.
Macron and Rome Push Back Against Mediterranean Drone Claims
The denial follows a report published on Wednesday evening by the Spanish newspaper The World, which cited Lithuanian officials claiming the Central Intelligence Agency had issued a warning. According to the Spanish daily, the alert suggested that Russia might target France, Spain, or Italy using explosive-laden drones concealed inside commercial shipping containers in the Mediterranean.
Direct Dismissals From Paris and Rome
Macron dismissed the assertions during his broadcast interview. "We can deny this information," Macron stated on TF1 and France 2. "The CIP has not informed French services of such an attack."
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto similarly rejected the report through a public statement on the social media platform X. Crosetto criticized the publication for spreading unverified claims during an already tense geopolitical climate.
"The alarm signal launched this morning by a Spanish newspaper, which speculates about possible attacks by Russian ships and drones against Italy, Spain, and France, does not help anyone and is not based on any evidence," Crosetto wrote on X. He added that leadership figures must avoid heightening regional tensions, noting, "We live in difficult and nervous times, and no one should pour oil on the fire."
Inside the Published Spanish Intelligence Claims
The World had reported that the hypothetical operation involved launching small reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial systems, specifically identifying the Gerbera drone model. According to the newspaper’s sources close to the Lithuanian National Defence Ministry, these systems could potentially be deployed via catapults from vessels stationed 200 to 300 kilometers away from the coastline.
The published speculation suggested the drones could reach European targets within one to two hours. While their explosive payloads are relatively small, the reporting claimed the devices could spark fires, damage port infrastructure, or force temporary shutdowns at coastal airports and maritime terminals.
Wider Sabotage Fears Across European Capitals
The claims surfaced amid heightened vigilance across European capitals regarding potential Russian sabotage operations. European intelligence agencies remain on high alert as the war in Ukraine continues, driven by fears that Moscow could target Western nations providing military and political support to Kyiv.
Earlier in the month, German authorities in Berlin formally accused Moscow of orchestrating a security incident at Leipzig airport in August, where investigators discovered freight packages containing concealed explosives that could have caused fatalities if detonated in transit.
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